Reporter at News 5 Cleveland
AKRON — In January, we first show you stacks of discarded e-scooters that were once sitting in a warehouse in Cleveland and headed for the landfill. The thousands of defunct Spin scooters were purchased for $100 by Ben Baker, the owner of Summit e-Waste, an electronic recycling company in Akron .
What happened to thousands of defunct Spin scooters After our first report, the story went viral on social media, and the phone was ringing off the hook.A few months later, in March, we returned as the scooters started going out to customers. Overwhelming demand for refurbished scooters big boost for Akron company "I had no idea that it would turn into something like this," said Baker."When you guys were here the last time, the basement was full, so that's cleared out. This pile right behind me is about halfway gone," said Drew Furman, managing scooter sales at Summit e-Waste. Furman has recruited a team to help him get the scooters to the people. There are new employees and summer interns from Akron Firestone Community Learning Center. "This is an internship. It teaches me about computer science and gets me into the front door into the computer science field," said Wilton Smothers. Smothers learned how to prep circuit boards that would eventually control the machine. While the painting and rehab work happens downstairs, Furman handles an influx of people in the door every day picking up orders."If you have a problem, just give me a call. No big deal, I'll walk you through it," said Furman. Furman told Roosa there would be a warranty if the scooter stopped functioning without an accident or other damage. "We sold probably about 1,200 of them so far. We're still working our way through the local list," said Furman. He continued,"somewhere close to 2,000 people on the out-of-state list." Employees and interns can't work fast enough,"we're peddling as hard as we can. I'm thinking probably by the end of the summer we'll probably be through it. Sometimes, maybe September beginning of October. That's the dream anyways." Baker's original ingenuity to buy the scooters and refurbish them inspired another Northeast Ohio entrepreneur. "Well, we actually saw the story on Channel 5 and we were in the process of starting the scooter business," said Carolyn Camargo. Camargo continued,"we paused the TV took a picture so we had the phone number, everything so we didn't lose it you know." Camargo and her husband's new small business"Rentals on the Lake" is just getting started. Situated on the strip, you can stop by and rent one of these refurbished scooters to zip around. "You pay there, you rent them from there, and you return them there. It's not like the other ones where you can just leave them wherever you're at," said Camargo. From boosting business at Summit e-Waste to starting another, the scooters seem to have transformed from trash to treasure.
Recycling Scooters Spin Spin Scooters Summit E-Waste
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Grab an electric scooter for under $200 in Walmart’s 4th of July saleThe Gotrax Rival Electric Scooter is a solid electric scooter with a 15.5 mph max speed and a 12 mile range, and this deal will let you snag it for just $198.
Read more »
New bodycam video shows Seattle police arrest armed man on scooter in South Lake UnionNewly released video shows Seattle police arresting an armed man while attempting to serve a felony warrant in the South Lake Union neighborhood last month.
Read more »
Snag a foldable electric scooter at $600 off during our version of Prime DayThrough July 21, pay only $399.97 for a powerful 500W scooter. The 500W Electric Folding Scooter—a game-changer in urban mobility and now on sale for only $399.97 (reg. $999).
Read more »
Prince William Zipping Around on an Electric Scooter Is Giving Major Dad VibesPrince William was spotted zipping around Windsor Castle on an electric scooter and royal fans can't get enough of itl.
Read more »
Prince William spotted zipping around Windsor Castle on an electric scooter is a sight to seeA video of Prince William zooming into Windsor Castle on an electric scooter is going viral — and it’s a sight to see.
Read more »
Prince William Seen Zooming Around Windsor Castle on ScooterPrince William was captured on video zipping through Windsor Castle on his electric scooter to see his father, King Charles
Read more »